ACUPUNCTURE: A NATURAL CHINESE THERAPY
Acupuncture is a well-recognized Chinese system of medicine. This unique holistic art has stood the test of time and dates back to a few thousand years.
During treatment, needles are inserted into various acupuncture points on the body. According to the Eastern perspective, this process regulates normal Qi (energy) flow through the meridians (energy pathways), thus relieving symptoms and helping the body restore health.
Click the question to learn the answers to some common questions about acupuncture:
Does acupuncture work?
How does acupuncture work?
Is acupuncture safe and effective?
Does it hurt?
How many treatments do I need?
What can I expect before and after the treatment?
What conditions do you treat?
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Worldwide, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other systems combined.
With research backing its efficacy, acupuncture is widely practiced in Asia, Soviet Union, and Europe. It has been used in the United States since 1970’s.
Acupuncture treatments can be given in conjunction with other therapies such as conventional Western medicine, physical therapy, chemotherapy, psychotherapy etc.
The efficacy of acupuncture has prompted tremendous research world wide including the United States. The more common explanations of its course of action are mentioned below.
Eastern perspective:
The theory of acupuncture is based on the patterns of Qi (energy) flow through the body. During normal state of health, energy travels smoothly through a network of meridians in the body. Disruption in this normal Qi flow is responsible for occurrence of disease.
Acupuncture corrects these imbalances by releasing energy blocks and re-establishing normal Qi circulation, thus stimulating the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Western perspective:
The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release hormones, endorphins and other chemicals in the muscles, blood stream, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals can change the experience of pain. They also stimulate the body’s natural healing ability, promoting physical and emotional well-being.
Therefore acupuncture treatments are done for a few weeks, once they stimulate an adequate response in the body, the treatments are weaned off.
IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE & EFFECTIVE?
National and International health organizations as well as modern research agree that acupuncture is a safe and highly effective treatment modality for many conditions. Acupuncture needles are FDA-approved, sterile, disposable and made of solid steel.
The National Institute Of Health (NIH) published the following data after the 1997 NIH Consensus Development Conference. The statement in its entirety can be viewed online at consensus.nih.gov/1997/1997Acupuncture107pdf.pdf.
“The data in support of acupuncture are as strong as those for many accepted Western medical therapies”
“One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions”
“Both animal and human laboratory and clinical experience suggest that the majority of subjects respond to acupuncture, with a minority not responding”
“There exist a number of studies of sufficient quality to assess the efficacy of acupuncture”
“The occurrence of adverse events in the practice of acupuncture has been documented to be extremely low”
The reaction to the treatment is unique with every patient. Patients may experience a sense of heaviness, heat or movement in the area of needle insertion. Most patients find the process very restful and relaxing; many even fall asleep during the treatment.
Needle insertion is practically painless, on occasion it may feel like a mosquito bite, but once the needle is in place, there is no pain.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?
The number of treatments needed differs based on different criteria. Most patients see a significant relief in about 6 to 10 treatments.
Acute problems usually require fewer treatments.
Chronic and complex conditions may require more treatments.
Once there is significant symptomatic relief, if maintenance treatments are done every 8 to 12 weeks, the results are longer lasting.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT BEFORE AND AFTER A TREATMENT?
Acupuncture treatments bring about changes in the body, which continue for a few hours after the treatment.
In order to receive optimal results, it is important to avoid physical or mental exertion immediately before and after the treatment.
It is important to eat a light snack before the treatment.
Acupuncture has been effective in treating a variety of conditions. This is a list of the more common conditions treated with acupuncture.
Pain including back, neck, shoulder, arthritis and other
Cosmetic/Facial Rejuvenation
Infertility
Fibromyalgia
Headache and Migraine
Stress/Anxiety/Depression
Seasonal Allergies
Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
Other conditions we treat with Acupuncture:
Respiratory Disorders
|
Ear Disorders
|
Disorders of the Mouth
|
Gastro-intestinal Disorders
|
Neurological disorders
|
Musculo-skeletal disorders
|
Reproductive System Disorders
|
Mental- Emotional Disorders
|
IS ACUPUNCTURE COVERED BY INSURANCE?
Your insurance provider will be able to advise you on the benefits of your particular health plan, however, most companies still do not cover acupuncture.
Acupuncture treatments can be claimed on Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).